"Didn't I tell you not to come?"
"I just happened to run into you by chance. So please, don't blame me too much."
Pung Jin-seong continued with a smile.
"A fortune teller I met recently told me that the northeast was auspicious. So, I set out without a plan, and here I am, meeting you, So-gok-ju. Had I known this would happen, I would have given them a bigger tip..."
"......"
"Since we've met like this, how about having a meal together? We’ve known each other for some time, so you wouldn’t turn me away, right?"
Reluctantly, Dan Ak-seon followed him at his earnest request. As they walked side by side, Pung Jin-seong asked a question.
"I heard you've been coming down to the village more often lately. You've also been buying medicinal herbs more frequently."
"That's..."
Dan Ak-seon was at a loss.
He wasn't sure how to respond.
To tell the truth, he felt uneasy about Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi. But lying to Pung Jin-seong made him feel guilty.
As he was struggling to think of a suitable excuse to offer him, it happened.
Thud.
Dan Ak-seon collided with a group of people walking from the opposite direction.
They hadn’t noticed him, as they were engrossed in conversation.
Pung Jin-seong quickly reached out and caught Dan Ak-seon as he was about to fall.
"Are you alright?"
Dan Ak-seon smiled wryly.
"I'm fine."
"That's a relief."
Pung Jin-seong let out a sigh of relief.
However, anger soon settled on his face. It was because of the men who, without so much as a word of apology, continued on their way.
"Hey, you there!"
At Pung Jin-seong’s shout, the men stopped in their tracks.
"Ah!"
It was then that a look of bewilderment appeared in Dan Ak-seon's eyes. The faces of the people he had collided with seemed familiar.
They were the warriors of the Murim Alliance he had encountered a few days ago who were searching for Cho Ak-ryang at the herbal medicine shop.
Pung Jin-seong shouted at them.
"You look like people from the Murim Alliance. How can you be so shameless?"
"Shameless?"
One of the men stepped forward from the group.
"If you’ve made a mistake, isn’t it only right to apologize?"
At Pung Jin-seong's words, the man frowned.
His sharp eyes and cold gaze sent a chill down the spine.
"The warriors of our Alliance are currently on official duty. So why don’t you mind your own business and keep going?"
Even just facing him, there was a palpable sense of intimidation in his cold voice.
At this, Pung Jin-seong’s expression grew fierce. It was because of the sight of the man subtly resting his hand on his sword.
Anyone could see his intent was clear.
"A warrior threatening a civilian! Aren't you ashamed? How can someone bearing the name of the Murim Alliance be so uncivilized?"
At Pung Jin-seong's sharp rebuke, the man flinched.
Such was the overwhelming force of Pung Jin-seong’s presence that it couldn’t be ignored.
"State your name and affiliation."
The eyes of the martial artists turned menacing at Pung Jin-seong's continued words. However, Pung Jin-seong did not back down.
“I will personally visit the Murim Alliance and lodge a formal protest regarding this matter.”
Only then did the martial artists of the Murim Alliance exchange glances.
They realized the situation was taking a serious turn. At that moment, the man leading the group, who had spoken first, clasped his fist in respect.
“I am Gwak Ga, leading the fifth division of the Passa Brigade. May I ask for your esteemed name?”
“I am Pung Jin-seong of the Pung family.”
“Pung Jin-seong?”
A glimmer of recognition flashed in the man’s eyes as he repeated the name.
“Are you perhaps from the Pung Medical Clan?”
Pung Jin-seong nodded.
“Though I may be lacking, I am the head of that clan.”
“...!”
The man, who had introduced himself as Gwak Ga, stiffened.
He had suspected that Pung Jin-seong's demeanor and tone indicated he was not an ordinary person, but he never expected him to be the head of the prestigious Pung Medical Clan.
“What brings someone who should be in Nanjoo all the way here?”
Although Gwak Ga belatedly asked with proper respect, Pung Jin-seong's expression remained cold.
“Must I report every one of my movements to the Murim Alliance?”
Gwak Ga let out a bitter laugh.
“Of course not. I just wanted to caution you, as the situation here is far from ideal...”
Looking around at his companions, Gwak Ga's face clearly showed discomfort. The attention of the crowd had focused entirely on them.
Gwak Ga sighed.
'This is becoming a hassle.'
It was an awkward situation in many ways.
In the end, Gwak Ga bowed his head toward Pung Jin-seong.
“We sincerely apologize for the disrespect we have shown. Please, calm your anger.”
“I am not the one you should be apologizing to.”
Gwak Ga’s brow twitched.
However, as if nothing had happened, he cupped his hands in respect toward Dan Ak-seon.
“I apologize, sir. Please forgive this Gwak Ga’s mistake with a generous heart…”
Dan Ak-seon forced a smile and nodded.
There was nothing to gain from getting involved with them. As Dan Ak-seon accepted the apology, the martial artists of the Murim Alliance quickly left the scene.
Dan Ak-seon sighed toward Pung Jin-seong.
“You didn’t have to go this far…”
Pung Jin-seong smiled faintly, as if he had never been angry.
“It wasn’t for your sake. I’ve been displeased with their behavior lately.”
Pung Jin-seong continued.
“There’s a terrifying villain called Blood Demon. They recently announced they had killed him. But the truth seems different. The way they are sending people out to gather information suggests otherwise.”
“Ah…”
“That’s why things have been so tense lately. I thought it was time to give them a wake-up call. After all, there’s nothing more unfortunate than innocent people getting caught up in the conflicts of the martial world.”
As they continued their conversation, the two arrived at the inn.
However, the inn was already filled with a luxurious feast.
There wasn’t even another guest in sight—Pung Jin-seong had rented out the entire place.
With an incredulous look, Dan Ak-seon asked Pung Jin-seong.
"Perhaps this is also a coincidence?"
At Dan Ak-seon's rhetorical question, Pung Jin-seong awkwardly smiled.
"Please, have a seat for now."
Pung Jin-seong offered the seat of honor and brought over the food, presenting it to Dan Ak-seon.
"Please try this as well. The chef here is incredibly skilled."
Pung Jin-seong eagerly dished out food and handed it to Dan Ak-seon.
However, he himself hardly touched the food. He just watched with a pleased expression as Dan Ak-seon ate.
How much time had passed like that?
Tak.
Dan Ak-seon put down his chopsticks and looked at Pung Jin-seong.
"This will be the last time I meet with you."
Pung Jin-seong paused for a moment.
But only for a moment.
"Have you already finished your meal? The dessert here is excellent too. It's dried persimmon cooked in honey, mixed with ginger and peanuts. If you pair it with Biluochun tea produced in Tongting…"
"Stop trying to change the subject."
Pung Jin-seong let out a bitter laugh.
"Did I, without knowing, do something to offend Sogokju?"
"No."
"Then is there something I did to upset you?"
Once again, Dan Ak-seon shook his head.
"Then why are you trying to distance yourself from me?"
Seeing Dan Ak-seon remain silent, Pung Jin-seong sighed.
“If only I knew the reason, I wouldn't feel so frustrated...”
“You’re not alone anymore, are you?”
Dan Ak-seon smiled quietly.
“It’s time for you to finally let go of the burden on your heart.”
“Sogokju…”
“How long will you keep clinging to that matter?”
Dan Ak-seon continued speaking.
“That was all a decision my parents made. No one blames you. So, stop blaming yourself. You have to walk your own path now.”
“I feel quite hurt hearing you say that.”
Pung Jin-seong replied.
“The grace I’ve received from the two masters is as vast as the sea. How could I...”
“What you’ve done until now has already been more than enough.”
“But...”
Dan Ak-seon interrupted Pung Jin-seong's words and asked a question.
“Do you remember the last thing my parents said?”
Recalling that moment, Pung Jin-seong nodded.
“The Demonic Doctor said I should make a lot of money with the medical skills I learned and live a life of luxury.”
“You must remember what my father said as well.”
“Of course. It was quite unexpected, though.”
―You must get married. No, get married twice. I can’t be the only one suffering.
It was a side of his father that was very different from the dignified figure he was used to.
Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly.
“The two of them had a fight that day.”
Dan Ak-seon spoke to Pung Jin-seong, who was faintly smiling.
“Please don’t struggle like you did today. Forget everything and live your life, as my parents once told you.”
Pung Jin-seong, now expressionless, silently sipped his tea.
After a brief pause:
“The day Sogokju was born, it snowed heavily.”
Pung Jin-seong’s eyes clouded with a distant memory.
“I was right beside you when you first learned to walk.”
“...”
“When you started to talk, you followed me everywhere.”
“...”
“Was it when you were seven? I carried you and ran when you got seriously hurt after the persimmon tree you climbed broke.”
With a sorrowful face, Pung Jin-seong looked at Dan Ak-seon.
“Though we aren’t bound by blood, Sogokju is no different from family to me.”
The regret in Pung Jin-seong’s eyes was palpable.
“Even if no one else does, Sogokju shouldn’t treat me like this.”
“Uncle…”
“Forget the two of them and Sogokju? Don’t you think that’s too cruel?”
Dan Ak-seon’s heart ached deeply.
He knew how much Jin-seong cared for him.
‘What would happen if he knew I was treating the two uncles?’
He’d give up everything and willingly follow.
That was the kind of person Pung Jin-seong was. But Dan Ak-seon didn’t want to put him in danger.
At the very least, he hoped that the other would continue to enjoy a happy life.
As long as he didn’t get entangled with him, he could live his life basking in the fame and status he currently enjoyed.
‘That’s what my parents wanted, too.’
To achieve that, he had to harden his heart.
He knew better than anyone that a reasonable excuse wouldn't be enough to break the other's stubbornness.
“Why am I trying to distance myself from you?”
Dan Ak-seon looked at Pung Jin-seong.
“Because it’s hard for me.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
Pung Jin-seong's face hardened at Dan Ak-seon’s next words.
“Being with you is painful. It constantly reminds me of my parents.”
“Sogokju…”
“So please, listen to me. Not for anyone else, but for me.”
Pung Jin-seong stared quietly at Dan Ak-seon.
Then, suddenly, he spoke.
“I’m hurting too.”
That one sentence shook Dan Ak-seon's heart.
“Aren’t we family? When Sogokju is hurting, I hurt too. So what? When family hurts, it’s only natural that I hurt as well.”
Pung Jin-seong reached out and gently held Dan Ak-seon’s hand.
“The saddest thing is being alone when you’re in pain. I’ll take good care of you, so please don’t push me away.”
Dan Ak-seon struggled to hold back his tears.
Once he barely managed to push away those emotions, the words he had to say came to mind.
'I’m sorry. Uncle.'
He didn’t say the words aloud.
They were reserved for something else he had to say. Dan Ak-seon stared sternly at Pung Jin-seong.
"Pung family’s Jin-seong."
"……!"
"As the current head of Shinmagok, I hereby declare."
Dan Ak-seon's next words struck Pung Jin-seong’s ears like a thunderbolt.
"I expel Pung family’s Jin-seong from the Shinmagok as of today."
Pung Jin-seong stood frozen in place, as if shocked.
Dan Ak-seon, who had just declared their severance, did not feel good about it either. But this was the best course of action. Dan Ak-seon stood up and quickly walked away.
Despite his firm resolve, he couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Pung Jin-seong was left alone.
Only he remained, staring with troubled eyes at the teacup in his hand, utterly alone.
